The best places to have a meal in Mussoorie

While the heart of the hill station is littered with tiny, hole-in-the-wall eateries where each one seems no different from the next, there are a handful of restaurants that are worth a detour. Whether you're in the mood for some sinful comfort food, an authentic Tibetan meal, light cafe-style snacks, or something more sophisticated—we've got you covered.

Emily’s

A cosy dining room serving gourmet Continental and Indian fare, Emily’s is one of the most charming places to have a meal. The interiors are beautifully decorated—with floral wallpaper on one side, framed quotes on the other, a slanting wooden roof and low comfortable seating between—and the terrace just outside is perfect for a romantic, candle-lit dinner under the stars with beautiful views of the surrounding Himalayas and Doon valley far below. Housed within the boutique hotel, Rokeby Manor, Emily’s opens early in time for breakfast and serves up till midnight

Kalsang Friends Corner

Decked in red—walls, lanterns, Tibetan prayer flags et al—Kalsang is Mussoorie’s go-to spot for Oriental food. They’ve got a pretty extensive menu, ranging from Thai, Chinese and Tibetan to Indian, but regulars here vouch for the momos and thukpa. The helpings are large (a plate of momos has nine pieces, and the thukpa bowl runs deeper than you realise), service is super-fast, and you’ll get a good view of the hillside from your vantage point up on the 2nd floor. Wind up your meal with something off their dessert menu, and as is customary here—pen down your feedback on a napkin before making an exit.

Clock Tower Café

Just adjacent to the clock tower (hence the name), Clock Tower Cafe is a favourite with the young crowd, and is probably one of the most ambient eateries in the hill station. With a brickwork exterior and large windows, the interior of the cafe is packed with character and a big dose of quirk—rounded archways, wood elements, cloth lampshades, posters and photographs of famous personalities plastered across the walls, and framed signboards withquirky messages—you could happily spend a few hours here. Choose from a sufficient continental menu of pizza, pasta, sandwiches, burgers before moving on to dessert (their NewYork cheesecake is meant to be delicious), and round up with a steaming hot latte.

Chic Chocolate

Ignore the cheesy moniker, and Chic Chocolate on Mussoorie's Mall Road is a big mouthful of delicious comfort food that looks and tastes home made—in a good way. Choose from a rambling menu that encompasses everything from pancakes and Nutella bagels, to pizza, pasta, chicken nuggets and even a European style breakfast with the works.

 The shakes and smoothies make for a perfect accompaniment, and the sundaes are sinfully loaded with all the ingredients. The decor is casual—with music memorabilia cluttering the walls, a blackboard with the day's specials scribbled across it, light yellow walls and a few square tables with chairs strewn across. As is obvious from the name, the chocolates here are pretty famous, you should definitely get a box to take back home.

The Tavern

One of the liveliest ways to spend an evening when you’re in Mussoorie, is to head to The Tavern for drinks and dinner. There’s usually live music playing—and although it’s nothing exceptional, it definitely lends character to the space—so start out with a drink at the bar before proceeding to dinner at your table.

Crossworld Holidays gives the best Group Tour Pacakges from Thane, Mumbai 

Crossworld Holidays Tours & Travels (IATA approved)

Ground Floor, Ram Smruti,
Opp. to New English School,
Ram Maruti Road, Cross Road,
Thane (W) - 400602, India
Tel:+91 - 22 - 4038 4747 
Fax:+91 - 22 - 2542 3427
E-mail: crossh@gmail.com

Travel tips for planning a stress-free vacation

Vacations are an excellent way to get away from the stress of everyday life and recharge your batteries. Though the idea of getting out of town is great, certain unplanned incidents can convert your trip into an upsetting situation for all the people involved. Such events are unavoidable, and it is important to take them in your stride.

It is counterproductive to be constantly worried about how the vacation will turn out. Do not get stressed out about trivial matters like the timing of the flight, the availability of rooms at the hotel, budgeting and packing. Rest assured, it is not impossible to have a relaxing vacation.

Below are some tips that can help you plan ahead and have a stress-free vacation.

Take the pressure off

When you have fewer vacation days and a hectic work schedule, an upcoming trip might be the only thing that you look forward to for months. But, your plan can backfire when there is massive pressure to make the vacation perfect. At times, the best memories of your vacation are the ones that come from engaging conversations, wonderful people, or tasty meals. While it is important to have a plan, keep this flexible and allow yourself to be spontaneous to really experience the place.

Do a background check on the place

You will never deliberately write a major exam without preparation of some sort. Similarly, you need to do some research on the place you are visiting. Find out about the best tourist spots, restaurants offering local specialities, beaches, sights and comfortable hotels to stay in. This will give you an idea of what to expect, where to go, and any dangers or risks that you must be aware of.

For example, If you like fireworks and massive parades, visit Paris on Bastille Day. This is an annual festival held in France during the month of June. It celebrates the storming of the Bastille and beginning of the French Revolution. Also, you can check out the La Tomatina festival in Spain. Every year in the month of August, thousands of people gather at the town of Bunol in Valencia to throw tomatoes at each other in the name of tradition and fun.

Besides fun and excitement, you need to think about other factors that can impact your travel plans. Do you plan on travelling during the stormy or rainy season? Are the crime rates significant in the places you are visiting? Will you have access to emergency funds if required? These are some of the things you must consider.

Have a flexible itinerary

Keep in mind that unplanned events will take up a lot of your vacation time. A cancelled tour, delayed flight, and slight snooze must not throw your whole itinerary off. You can planactivities on specific days but make sure to leave some days open or free.

If your schedule is flexible, you shouldn't rush into getting everything on your travel wish list completed. You can do various unplanned activities like catching a few hours of sleep at the beach, visiting and exploring hidden streets, or relaxing at a cafe and watching life pass by, over an espresso.

This way you will learn to enjoy your down time, which is the major reason why you went on the vacation in the first place.

Take copies of your important documents

You don't have a choice when it comes to carrying your visa, passport or insurance papers while crossing borders. But, you can limit the number of times you take these out in foreign places. Make sure to carry photocopies of important documents with you before you leave.

This way you can keep the originals along with some extra cash safely locked in the hotel room safe. This ensures that even if you become the victim of theft or misplace the copies, your original travel documents will be secured and safe.

Have a collective goal for the trip

No doubt travelling with other people can be quite stressful at times. Often each person will have their own set of preferences. Sometimes your partner will want a beach day, and you may want to explore the market. Your friends may be expecting a party weekend while you are looking forward to watching movies in bed or taking a bubble bath.

Before going on a holiday with other people, it is important to have a discussion and create a set of collective goals for the upcoming trip. People go to exotic places for adventure, relaxation, celebration or romance. Doing a mix of these activities will help in avoiding any awkward moments especially when you find out that your expectations are different from others in the group.

Wrapping Up

Always keep in mind that vacations must be relaxing. They must not consist of a constant stream of stressful activities. Remember that you booked the getaway to escape the stresses of everyday life and not trade them in for new ones.

When unplanned events occur, it is important to go with the flow and not feel overwhelmed. Sometimes the best travel memories stem from unexpected adventures. Follow the tips mentioned in this article, to make your vacation stress-free and memorable.

Crossworld Holidays gives the best Group Tour Pacakges from Thane, Mumbai 

Crossworld Holidays Tours & Travels (IATA approved)

Ground Floor, Ram Smruti,
Opp. to New English School,
Ram Maruti Road, Cross Road,
Thane (W) - 400602, India
Tel:+91 - 22 - 4038 4747 
Fax:+91 - 22 - 2542 3427
E-mail: crossh@gmail.com

Kerala’s most charming hill destinations

From Munnar's expansive tea gardens to Vagamon's unspoilt meadows, there are plenty of places to visit in Kerala that are far removed from urban chaos. Home to dense forests which are marked by walking trails and scenic verdant valleys, these hill stations have spectacular landscapes and a salubrious climate throughout the year. If you've had your fill of the snow-clad Himalayas, then head down south to explore the hills in God's own country - Kerala.

Munnar

Pluck tea leaves while you explore Munnar’s dense tea plantations; prance about in gurgling brooks while hiking on cloud-covered slopes; or wander through the hill town’s winding lanes Munnar is an idyllic escape into the natural wonders of God’s own country, Kerala. Perched at the confluence of three mountain streams Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly the charming hill town lies about 130 km east of Kochi and 100 km north of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady.

A haven for bird-watchers, photographers and wildlife-enthusiasts, the Eravikulam National Park is just a short drive away from the hill town. Thrill-seekers can go hiking to the highest peak in the Western Ghats in India Anamudi located about 13 km away from Munnar. At an altitude of 1600 m, Munnar is a delight for adventure-enthusiasts, honeymooners and families.

Wayanad

Located between the Kannur and Kozhikode districts in Kerala, Wayanad is a sparkling green emerald sprawled across the slopes of the Western Ghats. The monsoons persevere here the rainy season starts in June and lasts all the way till mid November during which the already lush landscape takes on an even more vibrant shade of green, and everything is washed squeaky clean. The most enjoyable way to experience it is by checking into a jungle resort even better if it has a treehouse. During the occasional dry spells in between, venture out and enjoy everything else the region has to offer. Wayanad ploughs tourists with some interesting prehistoric archaeological sites, tea plantations and thick forests, and is home to some of the oldest (and most insulated) tribes in India.

Thekkady

Periyar National Park is a protected area in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in Kerala, south India. Famous as an elephant and tiger reserve, the Park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady. Set high in the Western Ghats, the Park surrounds a picturesque lake and is home to several speices including the Gaur, wild pig, Sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, Dole or Indian wild dog and the ocassional tiger. The bird life here comprises of darters, cormorants, kingfisher, the great Malabar hornbill and racket-tailed drongo.

Vagamon

Still untouched by the kind of commercialisation that mars many hill towns, Vagamon's allure lies in its scenic lush valleys, cascading waterfalls, enchanting pine forests, verdant tea gardens and gushing rivulets. This quaint hill town perched at 1100 m above sea level sits between the Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala hills. Abundant trekking trails and adventureactivities like paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing attract hordes of adventure-enthusiasts to the valleys of Vagamon. Located near Kottayam Idukki border of Kottayam district of Kerala, the hill station houses Kurisumala (a Christian pilgrimage), which is frequented by pilgrims especially during the holy week of Good Friday. If you've had your fill of Kerala's beautiful backwaters and stunning beaches, then head to Vagamon for its misty mornings, warm sunlight and chilly nights.

Ponmudi

Surrounded by thick coverlets of tropical forests, Ponmudi is another addition to stunning hill stations in Kerala. Connected to Trivandrum by a narrow winding road, Ponmudi is one of the lesser-explored hill destinations of the state and an idyllic escape from the trappings of city life. Admire its gushing water streams, verdant hill slopes and picturesque hilltop spots, as youexplore the hill town on foot. If you're an adventure-lover, then head to Agasthyarkoodam the highest peak of the district for a strenuous hike. Located in the outskirts of Ponmudi, PepparaWildlife Sanctuary, is home to Asian elephants, sambar, leopards, lion-tailed macaques,Malabar grey hornbills, and makes for a good day trip from Ponmudi.

Crossworld Holidays gives the best Kerala Group Tour Pacakges from Thane, Mumbai 

Crossworld Holidays Tours & Travels (IATA approved)

Ground Floor, Ram Smruti,
Opp. to New English School,
Ram Maruti Road, Cross Road,
Thane (W) - 400602, India
Tel:+91 - 22 - 4038 4747 
Fax:+91 - 22 - 2542 3427
E-mail: crossh@gmail.com

Great Road Trips Around The World

A driving holiday can be just about the most perfect holiday experience you can design - provided you have a comfortable vehicle that is, whether four wheeled or two. Driving holidays and road trips give you the freedom to roam, the chance to discover little visited off-the-beaten-track villages and sights, as well as the opportunity to enjoy it all at your own pace, amidst often spectacular scenery. Serendipity is the watchword here - an advantage of old style travel that is so often lost in the modern era of packages and set itineraries. A driving holiday offers all this and more.

Here's a snapshot of some of the world's most scenic routes, from the white beaches of the Pacific Coast Highway to mountain passes, from ancient pilgrim routes to majestic deserthighways.

Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway follows the heart of the Canadian Rockies from Banff to Jasper and is claimed by Canadians to be the most scenic mountain drive in the world. Some of the planet's great beauty spots are found along here, including Banff, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Honeymoon Lake and Malign Lake. There are innumerable hiking opportunities in summer but watch out for bears. Winter offers great skiing and the bears are asleep.

Amalfi Coast Road

From the exuberant natural beauty of the mountainous landscape overlooking clear seas to the fine detail of the bright villages and stone churches set into the rock of these hills—the beauty of this region warms all who imbibe of its aesthetic riches. A drive along the Coast Road by car or by motorbike (or Vespa) will bring you into the canvas to experience the tantalising aroma of sun-yellow lemon trees among rock-face communities, local fishermen, rich Mediterraneanfood, old smuggling caves, and dazzling beaches that tempt you seaside. The coastline offerings of Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, Sorrento and their smaller neighbours are breathtakingly self-indulgent.

The Atlantic Road, Norway

The Atlantic Road is an 8 km scenic masterpiece set amidst the hills, lakes and rivers of Norway's fine natural landscape. The road zig-zags across bridges and rock-fills from island to island on the lips of the ocean. There are many lay-bys at which to park and marvel at your surroundings, just several feet from the smooth coastal rocks, with excellent fishingopportunities. Also on view is a plethora of wildlife such as seals and whales, and the less preferable weather conditions can often provide water shows crashing against the rocks as you drive.

Leh-Manali Route, The Himalayas

The route that connects Leh and Manali offers the ultimate mountain-driving expedition. And the ultimate Buddhist pilgrimage too. The route starts in Solang Valley and winds up through the Rohtang Pass along the enchanting River Chandra with wonderful glacier and mountainviews, Buddha statues and 'Free Tibet' signs everywhere. The highway to Baralacha-La provides the most breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas with meadows set amongst the snow-capped peaks. The route navigates along the Lachung-La Pass and its stunning canyon. Stop by the Thasang Tso—a turqiose lake labelled 'emerald of a queen's necklace' and the medicinal hot springs at Chuma-Thang.

La Ruta Del Che, Bolivia

A wonderfully cultural and historical unpaved route in Bolivia's Andean valleys, the La Ruta Del Che follows Ernesto 'Che' Guevara's final revolution-rousing days. From Santa Cruz to the city of Samaipata, following en route to Vallegrande are the beautiful quaint villages of Pucara, and Quebrada del Churo—Che's last residence. Follow along to Higuera, where Che was eventually captured, and end your journey at the final stop of Vallegrande—a sweet charming town where one can find the hospital's laundry room that served as a display for Che's body for the press and public. Other attractions in Vallegrande include the traditional colonial architecture, the Che museum and the Che memorial, that rests on the recently discovered burial ground before his 1997 Cuban burial.

Scotland's Western Highlands

A wonderful 250 mile trip from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye with Scottish wildlife abounding is exactly what Scotland's Western Highlands offer. For history and architecture lovers, visit Linlithglow Palace, Stirling Castle, the (William) Wallace Monument, Fort William's West Highland Museum and the wonderful Eilean Donan Castle on Skye. Fresh seafood is a near necessity, especially scallops, mussels and oysters. For nature lovers there are seals and otters, highland cows, hare, foxes, deer and any number of birds. Lochs galore, and the coves andbeaches on the Atlantic at Morar in particular are outstanding with the final destination being the Isle of Skye, with sea cliffs and rocky outcrops. In addition there is an amazing range of great places to stay here, from small family run B&Bs to luxury hotels.

The Alaskan Highway

For beauty, stillness and serenity, the Alaskan Highway claims priority. With little to distract your attention, this drive from British Columbia, through the Yukon and into Alaska will bring you back in touch with the natural world of the deep northern territories of America.

You can swim at Liard Hot Springs, place your own sign(s) and read the others in Sign Forest at Watson Lake, visit reindeer near Whitehorse (Yukon) and Santa Claus House in North Pole. Animal lovers will love the elk, wild sheep, grizzly bears, moose and marmots that often chill out on the highway itself. Marine lovers will favour the otters, dolphins, whales and puffers.

Crossworld Holidays gives the best International Group Tour Pacakges from Thane, Mumbai 

Crossworld Holidays Tours & Travels (IATA approved)

Ground Floor, Ram Smruti,
Opp. to New English School,
Ram Maruti Road, Cross Road,
Thane (W) - 400602, India
Tel:+91 - 22 - 4038 4747 
Fax:+91 - 22 - 2542 3427
E-mail: crossh@gmail.com

November special trips—places you cannot skip

If welcoming winter with a trip is high on your mind, this guide to the most amazing places to visit in November in India is just the thing for you. While the more adventurous ones, eager for some wintry time can head to the stunningly white (if snowfall graces it again)Manali, fun lovers can head to the sunny and welcoming Goa or Jodhpur. Varanasi, too, is a huge hit for that perfect winter trip in November. And, of course, you cannot forget Kerala, the God’s land. Down south, Hampi’s ruins and the very hippie things to do there are another lure. Bodh Gaya is, of course, a great getaway for those seeking spirituality.

Varanasi, by the Ganga ghats

There are many legends associated with the ancient city of Varanasi or Kashi. It is believed that the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvati lived here on the banks of the Ganga River. It was here that the rivers Varuna and Assi originated and locked a piece of land that flourished decidedly as a Hindu pilgrimage site, specifically as the holiest cremation spot to attain salvation. Till date, Manikarnika and Harishchand ghats see as many as 200 cremations a day. Beside the association of life and death on the ghats, Varanasi has a number of temples, the Buddhist pilgrimage Sarnath and the adjacent towns of Chunar andRamnagar as veritable sight seeing spots. Though one can spend weeks exploring the temples on the ghats

Jaisalmer, of Rajput tales and more

Sonar Kella, a Bengali movie set in the old city of Jaisalmer and its fort, was my first introduction to the city. I still remember the child-like excitement in me when I got the first glimpse of the place from the train and then from the railway station. It is this view and the camel safari that I recall the most about my first visit to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. During my successive visits, I got to know that there are many places to visit in Jaisalmer. A visit to this place is not just about various historical monuments scattered all over the city and camels. The beauty of this city, the thrill to live in the heart of the desert, the rare flora and fauna at DesertNational Park, the deserted villages and the stories attached to it, the beautiful temple complexes and most importantly, the love and warmth of the people are what brings me back to this place again and again. Winter months are the best months to be here, but it can be visited anytime between October and March when it is not very hot.

Kerala, of coconut groves and sunsets

Kerala’s backwaters—a network of natural waterways, lagoons and lakes—run parallel to its coast. The rich vegetation, biological diversity and gentle pace of village life in the backwaters leave an indelible impression on visitors. The Alappuzha-Kumarakom stretch is the most popular, but there are several other routes which offer quieter yet equally scenic experiences. The backwaters are synonymous with ‘kettuvallams’—houseboats designed like rice barges—but country canoes and public ferries are interesting options for those looking for some local flavour.

Gulmarg, build a snowman

The country’s premier, and possibly only bonafide ski resort town, Gulmarg and its pine-fringed meadows encircled by Mount Apharwat and surrounding snow-capped mountains have been part of popular culture and Bollywood since aeons. Even today, the ‘meadow of flowers,’ attracts droves of visitors in the summer who come here to ride in the world’s second highest cable car, play golf, and take hack rides to the glaciers at Khilanmarg and further up to Al Pather Lake. In the winter, Gulmarg transforms into a faux Alpine ski resort with its famed powder attracting extreme skiers from across the world. Gulmarg is a four hour drive from Srinagar.

Amritsar, beyond the Golden Temple

Amritsar is a famous tourist destination, which falls under north-west part of Punjab state in north India. It is also known as Ambarsar. Founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru Ram Das, Amritsar has derived its name from Amrit Sarovar, amidst which stands the sacred shrine of Sikhism—the enchanting Golden Temple. Inextricably linked with the history of Sikhism, the city has a rich past encompassing various mythical and historical narratives for centuries. It is a city where one can still feel the vibes of patriotism. An evening witnessing the Indo-Pak grand ceremony at Wagah Border or walking through Jallianwala Bagh, which continues to be the most evocative monument of India’s freedom struggle, Amritsar surely preserves the heritage from pre-independent era. Undoubtedly, the city is amongst the most revered sites but somehow has been limited to few tourist attractions.

Hampi, ruins of a lost city

Hampi is a place like no other and so are the activities that you can indulge in when here. Test yourself at bouldering over the hills, ride a bicycle all across the village, row a coracle in the calm waters of River Tungabhadra, spot some Indian sloth bears or get blessed by an elephant—Hampi has a lot to keep you busy. Watching a sundowner across its famous temple ruins is, of course, a delight.

Manali, nothing like the Himalayas

From the snowy delights of Rohtang Pass to the soothing warmth of the surrounding thermal springs, there are several places to visit in Kullu Manali for nature lovers and thrill seekers. With its picturesque views of snow-clad mountains, river valleys, charming cafesand laidback vibe, this hill station in Himachal Pradesh is an immensely popular vacation spot with both domestic and foreign tourists. Its widespread appeal draws everyone fromadventure sport enthusiasts and vacationing families and honeymoon couples and hippie backpackers. Here are seven places you must visit during your holiday.

Crossworld Holidays gives the best 

Crossworld Holidays Tours & Travels (IATA approved)

Ground Floor, Ram Smruti,
Opp. to New English School,
Ram Maruti Road, Cross Road,
Thane (W) - 400602, India
Tel:+91 - 22 - 4038 4747 
Fax:+91 - 22 - 2542 3427
E-mail: crossh@gmail.com